Package rectifying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A package rectifying apparatus designed to prevent a rearmost one of packages (3) from being toppled rearwardly to fall down even though the packages have been rectified so as to partially overlap with each other and also to enable the amount of overlap between each neighboring packages to be adjustable. This package rectifying apparatus includes a rectifying and transport means (5,30,43) for bringing a leading end of one (3-2) of packages (3), having contents sealed therein, under a training end of another one (3-1) of the packages (3) which precedes such one (3-2) of the packages (3) so as to overlap the trailing end of such another one (3-1) of the packages (3) over the leading end of such one (3-2) of the packages (3) while the packages (3) are successively transported in a predetermined direction, and an overlap amount adjusting means (51,52,53) for adjusting the amount of feed of the packages (3) by the rectifying and transport means (5,30,43) to thereby adjust the amount of overlap between the neighboring packages (3).

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for handlingpackages of articles to be bagged such as, for example, candies or thelike and, more particularly, to the apparatus for rectifying thepackages in overlapped relationship with each other before the packagesare put into a box.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of packages each comprising a sealed bag of articles such ascandies or the like loaded thereinto by the use of a well-knownpackaging or bagging machine are generally packed in a box in aplurality of layers one above the other from the bottom of the box whilethe packages forming each layer are laid down, before the box are sealedwith the packages therein. By way of example, if a row of the packages 3are merely laid down horizontally as shown in FIG. 29, it may oftenoccur that the total length L of the row of the packages 3 amounts to avalue greater than the length L1 of the box used to accommodate thepackages 3 in pile-up layers. In order to increase the packing densityof the packages into the box, it has been suggested to lay the packages3 down with the neighboring packages partially overlapped with eachother as shown in FIG. 30. Specifically, in FIG. 30, the row of thepackages 3 are laid down with a leading end of one package 3 overlappinga trailing end of the preceding package 3 with respect to the directionof transport C.

However, when the row of the packages is subsequently transported bymeans of a conveyor 91 or the like while they are laid in theillustrated manner, and since the leading end of the rearmost package 3overlays the trailing end of the preceding package 3, there is apossibility that the rearmost one of the packages 4 will be toppledrearwardly to fall down as indicated by the phantom line as flapped by awind pressure. Where articles such as, for example, potato chips aswarmed are packaged, each package 3 is thermally expanded to have anincreased thickness and, therefore, such rearward toppling of therearmost package as discussed above tends to occur. Also, since theamount of overlap permitted between the neighboring packages 3 issubstantially fixed, the difference occurs between the total length L ofthe row of the packages 3 and the length L1 of the box when the packages3 are desired to be packed in boxes of a different size, and therefore,the packages 3 cannot be satisfactorily and efficiently packed in thoseboxes.

In view of the above, it has been suggested in, for example, any one ofthe Japanese Laid-open Patent Publications No. 59-134105, published Aug.1, 1984 and No. 64-84806, published Mar. 30, 1989, that as shown in FIG.31 the packages 3 in a row are overlapped in a reverse direction, thatis, the packages 3 are laid down with a leading end of one package 3crawled under a trailing end of the preceding package 3 with respect tothe direction of transport C. According to this method, although theproblem associated with the rearward toppling of the rearmost package 3can be eliminated, the fact that the amount of overlap permitted betweenthe neighboring packages 3 is fixed renders it difficult for thepackages 3 to be packed in boxes of a different size.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toalleviate the various problems inherent in the prior art packagerectifying method and to provide an efficient package rectifyingapparatus of a type wherein, after rectification of a required number ofthe packages, the leading end of the rearmost package in the row of thepackages is crawled under the trailing end of the preceding package sothat the rearmost package does not topple rearwardly to fall down eventhough the row of the packages continues to be transported, therebyfacilitating the handling of the packages and, also, wherein the amountof overlap between the neighboring packages can be adjusted and,therefore, no difference between the total length of the packages andthe size of the box is created even though the size of the box or thenumber of the packages laid down in the box varies, making it possiblefor the packages to be efficiently and snugly packed in a box withoutmanual handling.

In order to accomplish the above described object, a package rectifyingapparatus according to the present invention comprises a rectifying andtransport means for bringing a leading end of one of packages, havingcontents sealed therein, under a training end of another one of thepackages which precedes such one of the packages so as to overlap thetrailing end of such another one of the packages over the leading end ofsuch one of the packages while the packages are successively transportedin a predetermined direction; and an overlap amount adjusting means foradjusting the amount of feed of the packages by the rectifying andtransport means to thereby adjust the amount of overlap between theneighboring packages.

According to the above described construction, since the rectifying andtransport means is operable to cause the trailing end of the precedingpackage to overlap the leading end of the next succeeding package, theleading end of the rearmost one of the packages rectified in a rowcontaining the required number of the packages can be held havingcrawled under the trailing end of the immediately preceding package.Accordingly, the packages in the row can easily and efficiently handledwith no possibility of the rearmost package being toppled rearwardly tofall down under the influence of a wind pressure. Also, since theoverlap amount adjusting means does effectively adjust the amount ofoverlap between the neighboring packages, no difference between thetotal length of the packages and the size of the box is created eventhough the size of the box or the number of the packages laid down inthe box varies, making it possible for the packages to be efficientlyand snugly packed in a box. Moreover, the rectification of the packagesis automatically performed, requiting no manual intervention in handlingthe packages and, therefore, the efficiency of work is high.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, therectifying and transport means comprises a transport mechanism forsuccessively supplying the packages, a holding means for receiving suchanother one of the packages transported by the transport mechanism andfor retaining the trailing end of such another of the packages above theleading end of such one of the packages while such another one of thepackages is brought to a standstill, and an overlapping means fordriving the transport mechanism to transport such one of the packages soas to bring the leading end of such one of the packages under thetrailing end of such another one of the packages then retained by theholding means.

Preferably, the overlap amount adjusting means may comprises a positionadjusting means for adjusting a holding position of the another one ofthe packages with respect to the direction of successive transport ofthe packages.

According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesuccessive transport of the packages and the partial overlapping betweenthe neighboring packages while the amount of overlap therebetween isadjusted can be sequentially performed in a series of sequentialoperation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In and throughout the following accompanying drawings, like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a side view, with a portion cut away, of a package rectifyingapparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the package rectifying apparatus accordingto the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a portion of the package rectifyingapparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, showing a first step performed by the package rectifyingapparatus;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a second step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a third step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a fourth step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a fifth step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a sixth step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a seventh step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a schematic fragmentary side sectional view showing themanner in which rows of packages having been rectified are successivelypacked into a box;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a first step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a second step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a third step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of that portion the package rectifyingapparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, showing a first step performed by the package rectifyingapparatus;

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a second step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a third step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a fourth step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view of that portion the package rectifyingapparatus according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, showing a first step performed by the package rectifyingapparatus;

FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the fourth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a second step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the fourth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a third step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the fourth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a fourth step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to a fifth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a first step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 24--24 in FIG.23;

FIG. 25 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the fifth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a second step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 26 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the fifth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a third step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 27 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to the fifth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, showing a fourth step performed by the packagerectifying apparatus;

FIG. 28 is a schematic side view of that portion of the packagerectifying apparatus according to a sixth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic side view showing an example of the packages laiddown horizontally;

FIG. 30 is a schematic side view showing another example of the packageslaid down with a leading end of one package overlapping a trailing endof the preceding package;, and

FIG. 31 is a schematic side view showing a further example of thepackages laid down with a leading end of one package crawled under atrailing end of the preceding package.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafterdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring first to FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 represents amachine framework including a pair of first brackets 12 mounted thereon.A support shaft 7 has its opposite end portions rotatably supported bythe respective brackets 12. A pair of elongated support frames 6 for thesupport of a movable conveyor (a first conveyor) 5 have one endspositioned adjacent a receiving side (a left-hand side) from whichpackages 3 are successively delivered onto the movable conveyor 5 arereceived. That ends of the elongated support flames 6 adjacent thereceiving side are rotatably mounted on the respective end portions ofthe support shaft 7 so that opposite free ends of the elongated supportframes 6 positioned at a delivery side (a fight-hand side), from whichthe packages 3 having been transported by the movable conveyor 5 can bedischarged, can move up and down about the support shaft 7. The movableconveyor 5 includes an conveyor belt 11 trained between a main driveroll 9, mounted on the support shaft 7, and an idle roll 10 rotatablysupported by and between the free ends of the elongated support frames6. A first drive unit 13 comprised of a servo-motor is rigidly mountedon one of the first brackets 12 and includes a main drive pulley 14. Themain drive pulley 14 is drivingly coupled by means of a belt 15 with adriven pulley 21 mounted on the support shaft 7.

The first bracket 12 carrying the first drive unit 13 also has a seconddrive unit 17 comprised of a motor and having a drive shaft 18 on whicha stem of an elongated cranking plate 19 is mounted. A turnbuckle 20 hasone end pivotally connected with a free end of the cranking plate 19opposite to the stem and the other end pivotally connected with one endof a first link 23. The first link 23 is in turn pivotally mounted on asupport stud 22 journalled to the first bracket 12. A second link 24 hasone end pivotally connected to the support stud 22 and the opposite endpivotally connected with one end of a third link 25 which has in turnthe opposite end pivotally connected with a lower end of a connectingrod 26 rigidly secured to one of the elongated support frames 6 so as toextend generally downwardly therefrom.

The machine framework 8 also includes a pair of second brackets 31 inalignment with the pair of the first bracket 12, said pair of the secondbrackets 31 supporting a fixed conveyor (a second conveyor) 30positioned adjacent to and on a leading side of the movable conveyor 5with respect to the direction of transport C. The fixed conveyor 30 isso supported and so positioned that, when the delivery end or dischargeend of the movable conveyor 5 is moved upwardly to assume a positionshown by the solid line, the fixed conveyor 30 can receive the package 3from the movable conveyor 5.

A third drive unit 32 comprised of a variable-speed servo-motor isrigidly mounted on one of the second brackets 31 and includes a maindrive pulley 33 drivingly coupled through a belt 36 with a driven pulley35 rotatably mounted on a shaft 34 that is journalled to the secondbracket 31. A main drive roll 37 is mounted on the shaft 34 in coaxialrelation with the driven pulley 35 as shown in FIG. 2. The secondbrackets 31 carry, in addition to the main drive roll 37 on the shaft34, an idle roll 38, rotatably supported at a discharge end, and a pairof intermediate guide rolls 39 positioned between the main drive roll 37and the idle roll 38 as shown in FIG. 1. A conveyor belt 40 forming apart of the fixed conveyor 30 is trained between the main drive roll 37and the idle roll 38 via the intermediate guide rolls 39.

A stopper 42 for positioning the packages 3 in abutment therewith isdisposed in the vicinity of the discharge end of the movable conveyor 5so as to extend downwardly while a holding means 43 for holding thepackages 3 is disposed between the movable conveyor 5 and the fixedconveyor 30 as shown in FIG. 2. As best shown in FIG. 3, the holdingmeans 43 includes a pair of holding levers 44 adapted to be positionedabove the discharge end of the movable conveyor 5 so as to hold thepackages 3 one by one and, for this purpose, the holding levers 44 havetheir stems mounted on upper ends of respective rotatable operating rods46 of fourth drive units 45 positioned laterally outwardly of themovable conveyor 5 and each comprised of a rotary air-cylinder. Thus, itwill readily be seen that, when the fourth drive units 45 are activated,the holding levers 44 can be moved into or out of a position above theconveyor belt 11 of the movable conveyor 5 then held at an elevatedposition, that is, moved into or out of that portion of a transport pathwhich straddles between the conveyor belts 11 and 40 as shown in FIG. 2,respectively.

The first to fourth drive units 13, 17, 32 and 45 are adapted to becontrolled by a common controller 50 shown in FIG. 1.

With the movable conveyor 5 held at a lowered position shown by thephantom line in FIG. 1, an article detecting sensor 51 comprised of acombination of, for example, a light emitting element and aphotoelectric tube is secured to a portion of the machine framework 8adjacent the discharge end of the movable conveyor 5 in the loweredposition. The controller 50 referred to above includes a stop means 52for bringing the first drive unit 13 to a halt at a predetermined timingafter it has received a detection signal from the sensor 51 indicativeof the presence of a package 3, and a feed control means 53 for drivingthe first and third drive units 13 and 32, when the movable conveyor 5is moved to the elevated position, for transporting the package 3 apredetermined distance from the position at which the package is halted.The controller 50 also includes an overlapping means 54 for driving thefirst drive unit 13 to run the movable conveyor 5 during a period inwhich the preceding package is held by the holding levers 44, so thatthe next succeeding package can be fed towards under the precedingpackage

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the movable conveyor5 and the fixed conveyor 30 together constitute a transport mechanismoperable to transport the packages 3 successively, and the transportmechanism 5 and 30, the holding means 43 and the overlapping means 54included in the controller 50 together constitute a rectifying andtransporting means operable to overlap the neighboring packages 3partially with each other while feeding them. Also, the articledetecting sensor 51, the stop means 52 and the feed control means 53together constitute a position adjusting means for adjusting theposition of the preceding package with respect to the direction oftransport thereof.

In this illustrated embodiment, during an inoperative condition of thepackage rectifying apparatus, the support frames 6 of the movableconveyor 5 is pivoted about the support shaft 7 with the discharge endof the movable conveyor 5 moved downwardly to assume the loweredposition as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 1. Starting from thiscondition and when the package rectifying apparatus is operated, thefirst package 3-1 having discharged from the packaging or baggingmachine and then transported by means of a suitable transport means (notshown) is loaded onto the conveyor belt 11 of the movable conveyor 5 atthe receiving side.

At this time, the conveyor belt 11 is driven by the first drive unit 13through the main drive pulley 14, the driven pulley 21 and the drivebelt 15 and, therefore, the first package 3-1 is transported towards thedischarge end of the movable conveyor 5 as shown in FIG. 4, whereuponthe article detecting sensor 51 detects a leading end of the firstpackage 3-1 and then outputs a detection signal. In response to receiptof this detection signal, the stop means 52 in the controller 50 isactivated so that the drive of the first drive unit 13 for driving themovable conveyor 5 is disabled, after the first drive unit 13 beingdriven has been permitted to continue its revolution a predeterminednumber of revolutions, to bring the conveyor belt 11 to a halt therebyto bring the first package 3-1 to a predetermined stop position. In theevent that the first package 3-1 has overrun the predetermined stopposition, the first package 3-1 is brought into abutment with thestopper 42 and is thus regulated in position and, therefore, there is nopossibility that the package may fall out of the movable conveyor 5.

When the first drive unit 13 is brought to a halt, the second drive unit17 is activated according to a sequence control program so that thesupport frames 6 with the conveyor belt 11 carrying the first package3-1 thereon are pivoted about the support shaft 7 with the discharge endof the movable conveyor 5 moving upwardly by the operation of thecranking plate 19, the turnbuckle 20, the first to third links 23 to 25and the connecting rod 26. As soon as the discharge end of the movableconveyor 5 is brought to the elevated position at which a discharge endof the conveyor belt 11 of the movable conveyor 5 is substantially inlevel with a receiving end of the conveyor belt 40 of the fixed conveyor30, a limit switch (not shown) is activated to bring the second driveunit 17 to a halt to thereby keep the movable conveyor 5 at the elevatedposition. During this pivotal movement of the movable conveyor 5, thefirst package 3-1 is correspondingly lifted with its leading end slidingalong a surface of the stopper 42.

Subsequent to the arrival of the discharge end of the movable conveyor 5at the elevated position, the feed control means 53 in the controller 50is activated according to the sequence control program to drive thefirst and third drive units 13 and 32 synchronously to advance the firstpackage 3-1 a predetermined distance from the stop position as shown inFIG. 5 and then to bring the first and third drive units 13 and 32 to ahalt to stop the first package 3-1 after the first package 3-1 has beenmoved the predetermined distance from the stop position. At this time,the first package 3-1 is held in position having the leading end thereofresting on the conveyor belt 40 of the fixed conveyor 30 and thetrailing end thereof resting on the conveyor belt 11 of the movableconveyor 5.

Simultaneously with this stop, the fourth drive units 45 for the holdingmeans 43 shown in FIG. 3 are activated to cause the holding levers 44 topivot from a position shown by the solid line to a position shown by thephantom line in FIG. 2 so as to protrude into the transport pathstraddling the movable and fixed conveyors 5 and 30 so that, as shown inFIG. 6, the trailing end of the first package 3-1 is retained by theholding levers 44 from below.

When a limit switch (not shown) detects the angular movement of theholding levers 44, the overlapping means 54 in the controller 50 isactivated to drive the second drive unit 17 to pivot the support frames6 with the discharge end of the movable conveyor 5 moving downwardly tothe lowered position leaving the first package 3-1 above the conveyorbelt 11. When a limit switch (not shown) detects a complete return ofthe movable conveyor 5 to the lowered position, the second drive unit 17is brought to a halt. Simultaneously with the lowering of the movableconveyor 5, the overlapping means 54 activates the first drive unit 13to run the conveyor belt 11 in readiness for receipt of the nextsucceeding package.

When the second package 3-2 is delivered onto the movable conveyor 5,the movable conveyor 5 transports the second package 3-2 towards thedischarge end of the movable conveyor 5, that is, towards a positionimmediately beneath the first package 3-1, as shown in FIG. 8, in amanner similar to the transport of the first package 3-1. The secondpackage 3-2 having been transported to the discharge end of the movableconveyor 5 is brought to the predetermined stop position by theoperation of the article detecting sensor 51 and the stop means 52.Thereafter, the second drive unit 17 is activated in a manner describedhereinbefore to pivot the support frames 6 about the support shaft 7with the discharge end of the movable conveyor 5 consequently movingupwardly to the elevated position while the second package 3-2 reststhereon. At this time, the preceding package 3-1 is supported on andretained by the holding levers 44 while being brought to a standstilland positioned immediately above the next succeeding package 3-2 asclearly shown in FIG. 8.

When this next succeeding package 3-2 is brought into contact withrespective undersurfaces of the holding levers 44 to shift the latterslightly upwardly, this upward shift of the holding levers 44 isdetected by a limit switch (not shown) which then activates the fourthdrive unit 45 to pull out the holding levers 44 from the position shownby the phantom line to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2.In this way, a trailing end of the preceding package 3-1 assumes aposition overlapping a leading end of the next package 3-2 as shown inFIG. 9.

When a rectification of a number of packages 3 has been completed byrepeating the above described procedures a number of times equal to thenumber of the packages 3, the first and third drive units 13 and 32 aresimultaneously activated to simultaneously operate the movable and fixedconveyors 5 and 30 to transfer all the packages 3 from the movableconveyor 5 onto the fixed conveyor 30 as shown in FIG. 10 and then fromthe fixed conveyor 30 towards a subsequent handling station where, forexample, as shown in FIG. 11 the packages 3 being sucked by a vacuumsucking machine 58 are loaded into a box 59.

Should the size of the box 59 changes, the amount of feed determined bythe feed control means 53 shown in FIG. 5, that is, the distance overwhich the package 3 is advanced from the stop position is to be variedto adjust the amount of overlap permitted between the neighboringpackages 3 to thereby vary the total length L so that a row of thepackages 3 can be efficiently and snugly loaded into the box 59 of adifferent size. Where the packages 3 are to be loaded into the box 59while piled up in plural layers, the necessity may often occur that thenumber of the packages 3 forming one layer may vary from that forminganother layer. By way of example, where ten packages 3 are desired to bepacked in a single box, the number of the packages 3 in each layer maybe four, four and three from the bottom of the box. In such case, whilethe total length L of the packages 3 in each layer is kept constant, theamount of overlap permitted between the neighboring packages 3 is to beadjusted to accommodate a varying number of the packages 3 for eachlayer.

As indicated above, since the leading end of each next succeedingpackage 3-2 is crawled under the trailing end of the preceding package3-1, there is no possibility that the rearmost one of the packages 4being transported will be toppled rearwardly to fall down as flapped bythe wind and, therefore, the handling of the packages 3 can befacilitated. Moreover, since the amount of overlap between theneighboring packages 3 can be adjusted, no difference between the totallength L of the packages 3 and the size L1 of the box is created eventhough the size L1 of the box or the number of the packages 3 laid downin the box varies, making it possible for the packages 3 to beefficiently and snugly packed in the box.

Second Embodiment

The second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 12 to 14. While most of component parts of the package rectifyingapparatus according to the second preferred embodiment are similar tothose according to the foregoing embodiment, the holding means 43employed in the package rectifying apparatus according to the secondpreferred embodiment comprises a holding plate 63 fixedly mounted on anoperating rod 62 adapted to be selectively extended and retracted by anair cylinder 61 so that the holding plate 63 can be selectively elevatedand lowered, respectively. The holding plate 63 has a lower portionserving as a stopper 64 which, when the holding plate 63 is held in alowered position, serves to position the package 3 which has beentransported by the movable conveyor 5.

When the movable conveyor 5 carrying the first package 3-1 thereon ispivoted about the support shaft 7 with the discharge end thereof movingto the elevated position, the feed control means 53 in the controller 50activates the first and third drive units 13 and 32 simultaneously tothereby advance the first package 3-1 the predetermined distance toallow the leading end of the first package 3-1 to rest on the receivingend of the fixed conveyor 30. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, theholding plate 63 of the holding means 43 is elevated with an upperportion thereof consequently protruding into the transport path tosupport the trailing end of the first package 3 thereon.

After the next succeeding package 3-2 has subsequently been shift-edupwardly by the movable conveyor 5 to allow the leading end thereofbrought into contact with the trailing end of the preceding package 3-1from below, the holding plate 63 is lowered as shown in FIG. 14 and bothof the preceding and next succeeding packages 3-1 and 3-2 are advanced apredetermined distance towards the fixed conveyor 30 by the operation ofthe feed control means 53. Thereafter, the holding plate 63 is againelevated to retain the trailing end of the next succeeding package 3-2.This procedure is repeated a number of times equal to the number of thepackages 3 desired to be rectified for each layer.

Third Embodiment

The third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 15 to 18. As Shown in FIG. 15, first and second conveyors 5A and30, both being fixed in position, are disposed to as to align with eachother in a direction conforming to the direction C of transport of thepackages 3, and the holding means 43 capable of being selectivelyelevated and lowered in a manner similar to that employed in the secondembodiment of the present invention is disposed between the first andsecond conveyors 5A and 30. This holding means 43 includes the holdingplate 63 having its upper portions serving as the stopper 64.

The first package 3-1 is brought to a standstill at the predeterminedstop position by the operation of the stop means 52 activated inresponse to receipt of the detection signal fed from the articledetecting sensor 51. At this time, the holding plate 63 has beenelevated and, accordingly, the first package 3-1 when exceeding the stopposition is brought into abutment with the stopper 64 of the holdingplate 63 so as to be regulated in position. Therefore, there is nopossibility that the package 3-1 is transported excessively beyond thestop position.

Following the stop of the package 3-1, and in accordance with thesequence control program, the feed control means 53 is activated inresponse to the lowering of the holding plate 63 to drive the first andsecond conveyors 5A and 30 simultaneously to advance the first package3-1 the predetermined distance with the leading end thereof consequentlyresting on the second conveyor 30. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, theholding plate 63 is again elevated to shift the trailing end of thefirst package 3-1 upwardly to a level higher than the level of theleading end of the next succeeding package 3-2.

While in this condition, as shown in FIG. 17, the next succeedingpackage 3-2 is transported by the first conveyor 5A and is brought to astandstill with the leading end thereof crawled under the trailing endof the preceding package 3-1. At this time, the next succeeding package3-2 is regulated in position by the stopper 64 of the holding plate 63not to overrun the predetermined stop position. Thereafter, the holdingplate 63 is lowered to allow the preceding and next succeeding packages3-1 and 3-2 to be advanced the predetermined distance, and the holdingplate 63 is subsequently elevated again to shift the trailing end of thenext succeeding package 3-2. By repeating this procedure, the requirednumber of the packages 3 which eventually form a single layer of packageare rectified.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 19 to 22. Referring first to FIG. 19, leading and trailingconveyors 70 and 71 are fixed conveyor, and the trailing or firstconveyor 70 is supported in an inclined fashion so as to successivelytransport the packages 3 upwardly in a direction shown by D1 while theleading or second conveyor 71 is disposed adjacent a discharge end ofthe first conveyor 70 and is operable to transport the packages 3substantially horizontally in a direction shown by D2. Hence, thedirection of transport D2 of the packages 3 by the second conveyor 71 isoriented lower than the direction of transport D1 of the packages 3 bythe first conveyor 70. In this embodiment, the first conveyor 70constitutes a transport mechanism for the successive transport of thepackages 3 while the second conveyor 71 constitutes a retainingmechanism for retaining the trailing end of the preceding package at alevel higher than the leading end of the next succeeding package.

The first package 3-1 is, after having been transferred from the firstconveyor 70 onto the second conveyor 71, brought to a standstill at thepredetermined stop position by the operation of the stop means 52 thenoperating in response to the detection signal fed from the articledetecting sensor 51. Subsequently, the second conveyor 71 is driven inthe opposite direction by the feed control means 53 to allow thetrailing end of the first package 3-1 to protrude rearwardly from thereceiving end of the second conveyor 71 as shown by the solid line inFIG. 20.

While in the condition as shown in FIG. 20, and as shown in FIG. 21, thenext succeeding package 3-2 is transported by means of the firstconveyor 70 and is subsequently brought to a standstill by the operationof the stop means 52 in response to the detection signal from thearticle detecting sensor 51 at the predetermined stop position at whichthe leading end of such next succeeding package 3-2 is held in contactfrom below with the trailing end of the preceding package 3-1.Thereafter, the first and second conveyors 70 and 71 are simultaneouslydriven by the feed control means 53 to advance both of the preceding andnext succeeding packages 3-1 and 3-2 a predetermined distance and thesimultaneous transport is halted at the time when the trailing end ofthe next succeeding package 3-2 is held in position to protrudeoutwardly from the receiving end of the second conveyor 71 as shown inFIG. 22.

As can readily be understood from the foregoing description, the stopposition at which the next succeeding package 3-2 is brought to astandstill and the amount of feed of the next succeeding package 3-2 aredifferent from those of the preceding package 3-1. Therefore, the use ismade of a counter for counting the detection signals fed from thearticle detecting sensor 51 to differentiate the next succeeding package3-2 from the preceding package 3-1. This operation is repeated until therequired number of the packages 3 have been rectified preparatory to theloading into the box.

Fifth Embodiment

The fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 23 to 27. Referring particularly to FIG. 23, a fixed transportconveyor 73 includes a plurality of juxtaposed conveyor belts 75 trainedin side-by-side relationship with each other in a widthwise direction Wof the fixed transport conveyor 73 as best shown in FIG. 24, and apusher 74 forming the retaining means is disposed so as to traverseconveyor belts 75 in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the fixed transport conveyor 73. This pusher 74 is adaptedto be driven by an air cylinder 76.

Also as best shown in FIG. 24, the pusher 74 has a plurality of combs 78formed integrally therewith in side-by-side relationship with eachother, each neighboring combs 78 being spaced a distance correspondingto the width of the respective conveyor belt 75 so that the combs 78 canprotrude into and move within associated spaces each between theneighboring conveyor belts 75.

Referring again to FIG. 23, when the first package 3-1 is transported bymeans of the fixed transport conveyor 73 and the leading end of thefirst package 3-1 reaches a position immediately succeeding a trailingend 74a of the pusher 74, the article detecting sensor 51 detects thepresence of the leading end of the first package 3-1 to thereby generatethe detection signal. In response to receipt of this detection signalthe stop means 52 in the controller 50 is activated to allow the firstdrive unit 13, used to drive the fixed transport conveyor 73, to revolvea predetermined number of revolutions and then to bring the first driveunit 13 to a halt, causing the first package 3-1 to be brought to astandstill at a predetermined stop position indicated by the phantomline in FIG. 23. Then, by the operation of the feed control means 5,3,the first package 3-1 is advanced a predetermined distance from the stopposition to a position shown by the solid line in FIG. 23.

While in this condition, the air cylinder 76 is activated to elevate thepusher 74 to lift the first package 3-1 away from the conveyor belts 75as shown in FIG. 25. As this time, the trailing end of the first package3-1 so lifted by the pusher 74 protrudes outwardly rearward from thetrailing end 74a of the pusher 74. The fixed transport conveyor 73 issubsequently driven again to transport the next succeeding package 3-2in a manner similar to the transport of the preceding package 3-1 untilthe leading end of the next succeeding package 3-2 is brought under thetrailing end of the preceding package 3-1 resting on the pusher 74 whichhas been elevated. In the event that at this time the next succeedingpackage 3-2 exceeds over the predetermined stop position, the leadingend of the next succeeding package 3-2 is brought into engagement withthe trailing end 74a of the elevated pusher 74 and is thus regulated inposition without being excessively advanced beyond the predeterminedstop position.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 26, as the pusher 74 is lowered, thetrailing end of the preceding package 3-1 resting on the pusher 74 isbrought above the leading end of the next succeeding package 3-2 thenresting on the fixed transport conveyor 73. Once this condition as shownin FIG. 26 has been established, by the operation of the feed controlmeans 53 both of the preceding and next succeeding packages 3-1 and 3-2are advanced a predetermined distance and are brought to a standstillwhen the both come above the pusher 74 while the trailing end of onlythe next succeeding package 3-2 protrude rearwardly from the trailingend 74a of the pusher 74. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 27, the pusher74 is again elevated to lift both of the preceding and next succeedingpackages 3-1 and 3-2. This operation is repeated a required number oftimes to rectify the required number of the packages 3 preparatory tothe loading of them into the box.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.28. The package rectifying apparatus according to this embodiment issubstantially similar to that according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 15 to18 except that, in place of the holding means 43 comprising theselectively upwardly and downwardly movable holding plate 63 used in theapparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention,the holding means 43 comprising a suction holder 80 as shown in FIG. 28is employed. The suction holder 80 is fixedly mounted through a supportlever 82 on a support shaft 81 rotatably supported by the machineframework 8, said support shaft 81 being in turn drivingly coupled withthe fourth drive unit 45A so that, when the fourth drive unit 45A isactivated, the support shaft 81 is driven to move the suction holder 80selectively up and down.

When the suction holder 80 is moved downwardly while the second conveyor30 is held still, the trailing end of the preceding package 3-1 issucked by the suction holder 80, after which the suction holder 80 ismoved upwardly to lift the trailing end of the preceding package 3-1. Asthe trailing end of the preceding package 3-1 is lifted by the upwardmovement of the suction holder 80, the first conveyor 5 is driven totransport the next succeeding package 3-2 until the leading end of thenext succeeding package 3-2 is brought under the trailing end of thepreceding package 3-1. The suction holder 80 is subsequently again moveddownwardly to allow the trailing end of the preceding package 3-1 torest on the leading end of the next succeeding package 3-2 in anoverlapping relationship.

It is to be noted that the holding means comprising the suction holdermay be equally employed in the package rectifying apparatus according tothe fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in and describedwith reference to FIGS. 23 to 27, in which case the holding meanscomprising the suction holder should supersede the holding means 43comprising the pusher 74. Where the holding means comprising the suctionholder is employed in the apparatus according to the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention, the holding means may be of a large sizesufficient to suck all of the partially overlapped packages of a numberrequired for each row of the packages to be loaded into a box.

It is to be noted that, in any one of the foregoing embodiments of thepresent invention, as an overlap amount control means, a positionadjusting means comprising the article detecting sensor 51, the stopmeans 52 and the feed control means 53 has been used to adjust theposition, at which the preceding package 3-1 is to be retained, withrespect to the direction of transport. However, it is possible to adjustthe amount of overlap between the preceding package 3-1 and the nextsucceeding package 3-2 by appropriately changing the stop position forthe next succeeding package 3-2 in dependence on the detection signalfed from the article detecting sensor 51.

As hereinbefore fully described, according to the present invention,since after the rectification of the required number of the packages theleading end of the rearmost package in the row of the packages iscrawled under the trailing end of the preceding package, the rearmostpackage does not topple rearwardly to fall down even though the row ofthe packages continues to be transported, thereby facilitating thehandling of the packages. Also, since the amount of overlap between theneighboring packages can be adjusted, no difference between the totallength of the packages and the size of the box is created even thoughthe size of the box or the number of the packages laid down in the boxvaries, making it possible for the packages to be efficiently and snuglypacked in the box. Moreover, the rectification of the packages isautomatically performed, requiring no manual intervention in handlingthe packages and, therefore, the efficiency of work is high.

Industrial Applicability

The package rectifying apparatus according to the present invention isparticularly suited as a rectifying apparatus for packing variouspackages or bags containing any suitable articles such as, for example,machine component parts, other than candies, foodstuff or the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package rectifying apparatus for rectifying aplurality of packages transported in a package transport direction, theapparatus comprising:rectifying and transport means for positioning atrailing end of a first package over a leading end of a second packageso as to position the first and second packages in a relationship inwhich there is an amount of overlap between the trailing end of thefirst package and the leading end of the second package, and overlapamount adjusting means for adjusting the amount of overlap between thefirst and second packages, the rectifying and transport meanscomprisinga transport mechanism for supplying a plurality of packages insuccession, holding means for receiving a first package transported bythe transport mechanism and for retaining the trailing end of the firstpackage above the leading end of a second package while the firstpackage is brought to a standstill, and overlapping means for drivingthe transport mechanism to transport the second package so as to bringthe leading end of the second package under the trailing end of thefirst package retained by the holding means, the overlap amountadjusting means comprisingposition adjustment means for adjusting theposition of the first package with respect to the package transportdirection, the position adjustment means comprising: a sensor fordetecting a position to which at least the first package is transportedby the transport mechanism and for generating a signal in responsethereto, stop means, responsive to the signal generated by the sensor,for halting operation of the transport mechanism to thereby bring thefirst package to a predetermined stop position, and feed control meansfor driving the rectifying and transport means to thereby feed the firstpackage a predetermined distance from the stop position.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a firstconveyor and a second conveyor, the packages being transferrable fromthe first conveyor to the second conveyor, and wherein the positionadjustment means is operable to adjust a position relative to the firstconveyor of a package transferred from the first conveyor to the secondconveyor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second conveyordefines a receiving end, the first conveyor and the second conveyormutually define a transit path, the holding means is disposed betweenthe first conveyor and the second conveyor and comprises means forholding a trailing end of a first package protruding from the receivingend of the second conveyor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein thefirst conveyor defines a receiving end and a delivery end, the deliveryend being relatively closer to the second conveyor than the receivingend, wherein the delivery end of the first conveyor is angularlymoveable between an elevated position and a lowered position, andwherein, in the elevated position, the first conveyer is positionedrelative to the second conveyor such that the second conveyor is able toreceive packages from the first conveyor.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the first conveyor defines a delivery end, and furthercomprising a Stopper positioned adjacent the delivery end of the firstconveyor for abutting at least one of the packages.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the holding means comprises a stopper for abutting atleast one of the packages.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetransport mechanism comprises a first conveyor having a delivery end anddefining a direction of transport, and the holding means is disposedadjacent the delivery end of the first conveyor and comprises a secondconveyor having a direction of transport oriented at an angle relativeto the direction of transport of the first conveyor.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a conveyor andwherein the holding means comprises a pusher for lifting at least one ofthe packages transported by the conveyor.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the transport mechanism comprises a conveyor and wherein theholding means comprises a vacuum suction holder for sucking and liftingat least one of the packages transported by the conveyor.